Grant to help improve Beacon access to river

By John Davis
Poughkeepsie Journal

BEACON -- A total of $208,000 in state and federal grant money is headed to Beacon to improve public access to the Hudson River.

Gov. George Pataki announced Saturday an award of $208,000 for the City of Beacon Waterfront Rediscovery Riverfront Access.

''It's something we hoped for desperately,'' Mayor Clara Lou Gould said Saturday afternoon. ''That's wonderful.''

Pataki announced in Albany Saturday the granting of $1.7 million in waterfront, open space and historic preservation projects for the Hudson Valley region.

The $1.7 million combines dollars from the New York state Environmental Protection Fund and federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.

''By continuing to invest in projects that preserve our natural resources and historic treasures, we are improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers,'' Pataki said. ''These grants will improve access to the Hudson River waterfront, bolster various community development efforts and expand opportunities for families and visitors to experience and enjoy the beautiful Hudson Valley region.''

Counties share $1.7 million

The $1.7 million was divided among projects in nine counties across the Hudson Valley. Pataki targeted the Beacon waterfront for the Dutchess County grant.

The riverfront area, Beacon Landing, is a 23-acre tract owned by Scenic Hudson, the Poughkeepsie-based land pre-servation nonprofit.

''It's a very generous grant,'' said Margery Groten, Scenic Hudson scenic project manager.

Beacon is working with Scenic Hudson to make the former industrial property more attractive to local residents, Gould said.

The $208,000 is to be used for realizing various plans the riverfront planners have drawn up.

Bolstering the shoreline

About 2,500 feet of shoreline will be stabilized and an adjacent path constructed, making the area ''safe and attractive for the public to enjoy,'' Groten said.

A handicapped-accessible boardwalk and fishing pier will be built.

This will be good news for a number of veterans in the area who like to fish but are confined to a wheelchair, the mayor said.

''There's room (on the pier) for the wheelchair to turn around, which will be wonderful,'' Gould said.

The $208,000 grant will also fund reconstruction of the bulkhead for boaters and building of granite steps leading down to the water for everyone.

''At low tide you can see the fish and blue crabs,'' Gould said.

On Thursday, U.S. Rep Sue Kelly R-Katonah, announced the House Appropriations Committee has set aside more than $1 million to help restore ferry service linking Beacon with Newburgh.